Aveva adds AI assistants to boost Unified Engineering
Aveva has launched a set of new artificial intelligence tools within its Unified Engineering product, adding assistants for engineering work, generative design, predictive design and a point cloud workflow.
The company said the tools form a first wave of AI features for engineering and design users.
Aveva said the release targets engineering, procurement and construction firms and asset owners that use Unified Engineering for project delivery and design work.
Four AI tools
The first addition is an industrial AI assistant. Aveva said it can interrogate and assist with project engineering work. Aveva also said it captures and propagates product usage knowledge.
The company said it built the assistant into its engineering and design tools. It said the feature supports teams working on projects. It also said the assistant reduces onboarding time for new staff.
The second addition is a generative design AI assistant. Aveva said it uses design requirements and user directives. It analyses design constraints. It generates layout options.
Aveva cited pipe routing for the pre-FEED and FEED stages as an example. The company said the tool increases productivity and reduces time spent during design.
The third addition is a predictive design AI assistant. Aveva said customers can create their own machine learning models. It said customers can use the tool for in-house design challenges. Aveva said the tool does not require coding.
The fourth addition is an intelligent point cloud framework. Aveva said it automatically reads point cloud data. It imports and displays that data. The framework uses AI classification from Aveva Point Cloud Manager, according to the company.
Engineering workflow
Aveva described the features as tools that users can adopt quickly. It also positioned the release as part of a broader push around data-centric engineering workflows across 1D, 2D and 3D design.
The company said engineers can use the new AI tools alongside their own expertise. It said they can apply them to analysis and problem solving in design projects. It also said the tools can automate parts of engineering and design work.
Aveva said the tools can generate design options faster. It also said they can lead to better designs.
Australia focus
Aveva's regional leadership framed the release in the context of cost pressures and supply chain uncertainty for local industrial organisations.
"As Australian industrial organisations navigate global supply chain volatility and rising input costs, they're increasingly looking for solutions that deliver both immediate productivity gains and long-term competitive advantage," said David Such, Vice President, Pacific, AVEVA.
"These new AI tools within AVEVA Unified Engineering address both priorities by enabling teams to collaborate in real-time on digital twins, streamline project handovers, and reduce IT overhead. The ability to capture institutional knowledge and build customised AI and machine learning modules without requiring coding expertise empowers organisations to future-proof their operations while delivering projects faster and more cost-effectively."
Industry view
ARC Advisory Group said the move signals a shift in how process manufacturers approach design engineering. The firm also pointed to wider adoption of AI in engineering disciplines.
"AVEVA's launch of AI tools for engineering and design marks a significant step in re-shaping design engineering for process manufacturers. AI is becoming a powerful tool to enhances efficiency, accuracy, and innovation across nearly every discipline, from mechanical and civil to electrical and process engineering," said Reynolds.
Aveva said it plans further development beyond the initial set of tools. It said it will draw on industry domain expertise and data-centric workflows as it expands the AI features within Unified Engineering.